Western Australia’s environmental regulator has given Sinosteel Midwest Corporation conditional approval to develop two open pits and associated infrastructure at its $2 billion-plus Weld Range iron ore project in the Mid West.
Environmental Protection Authority chairman Paul Vogel said conditional approval was granted for an 11-year mine life, using conventional drill and blast and haulage mining methods.
Sinosteel had been aiming to produce 15 million tonnes of iron ore per year for at least 15 years at Weld Range.
The company is also seeking to create a central processing hub at Mount Weld, due to its proximity to other iron ore deposits in the region, including at Jack Hills and the Robinson Range.
“While there were no declared rare flora or threatened ecological communities in the project area, more than 3,500 hectares of native vegetation, including part of a priority ecological community, will be cleared and so the conditions the EPA have recommended would ensure impacts to vegetation communities are limited,” Dr Vogel said.
Dr Vogel said conditions imposed on the approval include an offset program to monitor and manage native vegetation, fauna habitat and feral goat populations, as well as targeted surveying for priority species and ensuring the number and type of weeds in the area do not increase.
Other conditions are ensuring surface and groundwater sources are not contaminated, Aboriginal heritage values are not impacted and the land be rehabilitated following closure of the pit.
Dr Vogel said because the mine site is located within 100 kilometres of the proposed site for the Square Kilometre Array telescope project, Sinosteel will be expected to consult with the CSIRO during development at Weld Range.
The project is located 60 kilometres northwest of Cue, and is considered to be a crucial component to the development of the Oakajee Port and Rail project.
Sinosteel mothballed the project in June last year, citing ongoing certainty surrounding the viability of the Oakajee project under the half-ownership of Murchison Metals.
But Murchison’s sale of its 50 per cent stake to Japan’s Mitsubishi appears to have breathed new life into Oakajee, and the viability of the Mid West as an emerging iron ore province.
Sinosteel is being sought for comment.
